Passion Week

This week was the beginning of Passion Week (Holy Week) which started on Palm Sunday and runs through Resurrection Sunday. During Holy Week, people all over the world reflect on the events that led Jesus to Golgotha’s Hill; the place called Calvary. It was during this week that Jesus deliberately and willingly went to the cross to pay the price for the sins of humanity. Jesus was the only perfect sacrifice to redeem a sinful humanity back to God.
Every born-again believer in Jesus Christ can testify about Jesus’ love and suffering because they met Him for themselves, somewhere during their journey in life. On the other hand, many people don’t know what Jesus did for them over two-thousand years ago.
The story of Passion Week is described in the four gospels: Matthew chapters 21-27; Mark chapters 11-15; Luke chapters 19-23, and John chapters 12-19. Memorable events transpired during Passion Week. The week begins with the Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday when Jesus rides into Jerusalem on the back of a colt as prophesied in (Zechariah 9:9). Also, during this week, Jesus cleansed the Temple (Luke 19:45-46), and He disputed with the Pharisees regarding His authority. Jesus talked about the end times during His Olivet Discourse and taught many things, including the signs of His second coming. Jesus ate His Last Supper with His disciples in the upper room (Luke 22:7-38). While Jesus was waiting for His hour to draw nigh, He went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Knowing that He was about to die for the sins of humanity, Jesus prayed to His Father and said: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” The Father did not remove Jesus’ cup of suffering. Jesus had to complete His divine assignment appointed to Him on behalf humanity.

After He had prayed, Jesus was betrayed in the Garden of Gethsemane by Judas Iscariot with a kiss, arrested, and endured several false trails as He stood before the chief priests, Pontius Pilate, and Herod (Luke 23:1-25). Jesus received at least thirty-nine harsh lashes, had a crown of thorns placed on His head, and was stripped of His clothes. The Roman soldiers scourged Jesus and forced Him to carry the heavy cross on which He was going to be nailed to and crucified. Our Savior, carried His instrument of execution through the streets of Jerusalem for everyone to witness. After Jesus was mocked, scorned, pierced in the side, treated inhumanely by demonic powers, and nailed to a cross, He died. Jesus died for our sins. He was buried before the three Sabbath days started and on the third day after His death resurrected from the grave.
It was during Passion week when Jesus revealed His passion and love for humanity. He suffered deliberately and was willing to die on our behalf for our sins. The Savior redeemed (paid the price for our sins) us back to God. As we reflect on what Jesus has done for us during Passion Week, let our worship be pure and full of thanksgiving and praises to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us worship Jesus with all our heart and proclaim the Gospel Message of His death and resurrection to a dying world.